February 17, 1992 Armenian troops of mercenaries Aramo, Arabo and Avo (Monte
Melkonian), relying on the fire support of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment
of the CIS, stationed in Khankendi, occupied the strategically important
village Garadagli. In the battles for Garadagly killed 91 people, 54 of whom
were killed in one day. In general, in the fight against the Armenian
mercenaries there have been killed 145 people (15 women and 13
children) in Khojavend

The men of the local defense battalion fought to the last round, have shown
unprecedented heroism, however, left without assistance, were surrounded.
Several of them were captured by Armenian fighters, but were able to hit the
enemy manpower.

1news.az has conducted an exclusive interview with Khojavend
Eyvaz Huseynov who was the commander of the unit self-Karabakh war
veteran, current chief executive Khojavend.

- As far as I know, the village was on a par with Garadagly Khojaly one
of the most strategic points in the Nagorno-Karabakh, as there were a main road
Martuni-Khankendi, in connection with which Armenian fighters have always
sought to capture these items.When they began
to thicken clouds over Garadagly?

- In February 1988, after the Armenian nationalists of Nagorno-Karabakh
regional council adopted an unconstitutional decision to withdraw from the
Azerbaijani SSR and the transition in the Armenian SSR began clouds are
gathering over the Azeri population of the region. Prior to that, we have repeatedly
appealed to Baku, to the leadership of the various party and government
officials with letters that the Armenian side is preparing anti-Azerbaijani
statements intended to incite conflict and secession from the republic. We
announce the start of it all is actively supported by the emissaries of Armenia
and eventually turn into big problems for the Azeri population. The fact that
the armed Armenian extremists openly threatened us, so we have no illusions
about the peace did not resolve the situation.

The situation exploded after the February 1988 recognized the Armenian SSR was
a legitimate decision of the Regional Council of Nagorno-Karabakh from
Azerbaijan transition in Armenia. Had the military situation, began actively
arming the Armenian population and the transfer of foreign mercenaries in the
region. Azerbaijani village of Martuni - now Khojavend in a precarious
position, had almost no communication with the center and we had to decide the
issue of protecting the lives of their families and communities. Then the
villagers began to build self-defense units were set up posts, dug trenches and
done everything possible for the defense of the Armenian mercenaries.

- When did you realize that the
village has been attacked Garadagly various Armenian groups, groups of
mercenaries and 366 units of SMEs?

- The fact that since 1988 the Azerbaijani settlements Khojavend constantly
attacked by Armenian mercenaries. Gradually the village Garadagly and other
compressed into a ring by the Armenian gangs and we were in a state of siege.
The situation worsened after on the initiative of the Armenian SSR in Moscow
received an order to disarm the local Azeri population. Against the background
of the fact that heavily armed Armenian mercenaries had already armored vehicles
and rocket launchers, staged an attack on us in the Azerbaijani villages were
introduced by the Soviet troops who took away all the villagers' hunting rifles
and Lithuania will have to have a firearm.

We stayed with his bare hands in the face to be cut out by the Armenian
mercenaries. Then the commanders of the self-defense groups and residents of
Azerbaijani villages for their money by selling their property, livestock,
jewelry, had to buy shotguns for defense, although it is unrealistic to resist
well-armed detachments of the Armenian mercenaries, supported by the Soviet 366
SMEs. But the people were the most powerful weapon - even unbending desire with
their lives does not give the land of their fathers Armenian newcomers.
Unfortunately, despite our request, numerous visits villagers in Baku us no
help from the leadership of Azerbaijan did not arrive.

- When fighting broke out in a life and
death around Garadagly?

- All 4 years, from 1988 to 1992, we in arms fought off the attack of Armenian
gangs. The situation worsened after again at the request of the Armenian SSR,
Soviet leadership ordered the Azerbaijani authorities to forcibly remove all of
the Nagorno-Karabakh Azeri refugees who were expelled from Armenia. I think
this is a huge mistake Abdulrahman Vezirov and leadership of the Communist
Party of Azerbaijan, which, going on about the Armenian side and the Allied
powers, the power of expelled refugees and transported them to Baku and other
cities of Azerbaijan. The fact that Armenians originally were afraid of us knew
what we can do, and when they began to arrive Azerbaijani refugees from
Armenia, the Armenian population, among which was dominated by panic in general
was preparing to move away to Armenia.

In this complex situation, in November 1991, the Armenian soldiers, feeling
complete impunity, began to implement a plan for the forcible expulsion of the
Azeri population. For Armenian mercenaries was important to ensure their
advantage in the strategically important roads Khojavend-Khankendi and
Khankendi-Askeran-Agdam, and therefore they decided to destroy all the
Azerbaijani villages located on this road. October 31, 1991 the Armenians had
been occupied by the village of Tyr and Salakendli Khojavend.

Then, November 19, 1991 with 366 SMEs Armenian bandits were captured a small
village Khojavend Azerbaijan, near the district center of Martuni (now
Khojavend), then began a 4-month siege of the village and Garadagly Khojaly
standing on these important roads in Khankendi. We understood that Armenians
want to expand military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh and our villages
prevented them from advancing the front line and provide troops with everything
you need. We also knew that without the support of the Baku we just slaughtered
all here, we did not have any illusions about this.

- In this situation, what actions were
taken by you to protect and save their lives?

- The next day, the morning of November 20, Armenians expelled villagers
Khojavend and our other villages sent a delegation to demand help from the
leadership of Azerbaijan. We gathered in the Agdam and began to demand that we
assisted the government of the republic. The town has arrived in a helicopter
government delegation led by Secretary of State of Azerbaijan, now deceased
Tofig Ismayilov. We demanded that the republic's leadership has taken steps to
protect us. Then Tofik Ismailov said that they fly in the village occupied by
Armenians Khojavend to clarify the situation and negotiations with the Armenian
side. Our elders have tried to explain T. Ismailov, that we should not go
there, that the Armenian mercenaries who kill all the same: the villagers or
the representatives of the Azerbaijani leadership.

But representatives of the government delegation did not realize that Karabakh
is already a real war and still flew in that direction. In the end, November
20, 1991 near the village of Martuni Garakend (Khojavand) region of
Nagorno-Armenian militants shot down a government helicopter, carrying the best
sons of the Azerbaijani peacekeepers from Russia and Kazakhstan. From thermal
rocket fired by Armenian fighters, helicopter crashed, burned to the ground and
killing all 22 people on board.

- Even after the terrorist attack
November 20, 1991, committed by Armenian fighters, nothing has been taken to
protect the Azerbaijani lands and people?

- The fact of the matter is that after the destruction of the governmental
delegation of the Azerbaijani leadership came the shock that was received by
the Armenian side as a signal to open the occupation of Azerbaijani lands. From
that day the village fell into Garadagly complete encirclement of the Armenian
mercenaries, then stopped and the connection through the air, since the
Armenian bandits fired missiles at and released him. Then we have with a small
party made their way to the village Garadagly to organize his defense and the
removal therefrom of children, women and the elderly. At this point in the
village, there were about 900 people.

Our task was to ensure the withdrawal of all forces out of the population that
did not happen that the Armenian vandalism, we have witnessed in ten days -
February 26, 1992 in Khojaly. Near the village was Garadagly Kenhurd Armenian
village - birthplace of the famous ideologist of the Armenian national-fascist
writer Zori Balayan, a land connection with the district center of Martuni
(Khojavend) and other Armenian villages up to the city of Khankendi was broken.
That is, Armenian militants were placed everywhere positions, but the Azeri
village Garadagly was an obstacle that prevented them to unite their forces:
the Armenians even had to build a new bypass road - that's because they were
afraid of us.

- Your party and the people themselves Garadagly know that they are doomed in
the literal sense of being destroyed by Armenian mercenaries?

- Yes, they all knew that inevitably perish, and in this situation had to do
something to save the nearly 900 residents of the village, because of any
assistance to Baku not to be expected. None of the can to keep guns in their
hands do not want to leave Garadagly and they are willing to give a life for
their lands. Then, 12 and 16 January 1992, the radio people Garadagly we were
told that around the village are going to major armed factions of the Armenian
mercenaries and 366 SMEs, which are prepared to completely destroy this town
and its inhabitants.

We decided to take a desperate step, a small group of a sudden attack on the
regional center of Martuni (Khojavend) in order to distract the group from the
Armenian village Garadagly, so they moved their hand to us. At night, January
12, our squad attacked Martuni, where the headquarters of the Armenian troops
Aramo, Arabo and Avo and fighting has replaced them with some of the city. The
Armenians suffered heavy casualties and were forced to call for help troops,
surrounded the village Garadagli. Using this, our other group has been able to
export part of the population of the village.

Then, on January 16, when Garadagly again was surrounded by a dense ring of
Armenian troops, our group again struck a sudden blow to the district center of
Martuni and captured most of the city and caused extensive damage to the
enemy's manpower. At this point, the Armenians stormed the village Garadagly,
but know that we have captured half of Martuni, were forced to stop the fight
and redeploy their forces to save the district center. In this battle, we are
not only caused damage to the enemy, and destroyed armored vehicles and took a
large quantity of arms and ammunition and then retreated, since our aim was to
distract the enemy and save the villagers Garadagli.

- Double-capturing den Armenian
mercenaries in Martuni (Khojavend), you could somehow help the villagers
Garadagly?

- These two successful operations in Martuni allowed us to deduce from the
village Garadagly almost the entire population. The village was a detachment of
young men, flatly refused to surrender without a fight Garadagli. February 12 the
Armenians captured the neighboring Azerbaijani villages and Malybeyli
Gushchular. Armenian mercenaries then constantly attacked Garadagly, and we
knew that their goal is to capture this one remaining between Azerbaijani
village of Martuni (Khojavend) and Stepanakert (Khankendi). Armenian field
commander Avo (Monte Melkonian) instructed his thugs in order to capture all
costs the village. Then from 14 to 17 February with the support of 366 SMEs by
the Armenian mercenaries from Arabo groups Aramo and began a 4-day storm
Garadagly, but even these forces failed to capture the village. Killed more
than 60 experienced Armenian mercenaries had been transferred here from abroad.
Self-detachment of the villagers Garadagly fought to the last and only after
Armenian troops managed to enter the village and captured the survivors of 118
people.

- That is, young people Garadagly
presented the real lesson of the Armenian mercenaries Aramo groups, Arabo and
Avo Monte Melkonian?

- Yes, it was a real lesson in the Armenian bandits and an example of courage
and heroism for all of us. Having captured the village, the Armenian thugs
brutally murdered there in the village of 33 of our guys, then loaded the rest
of the trucks and drove away Khankendi. On the way Armenian Nazis decided to
make a bloody "show": gathered the Armenian population of the
neighboring villages and stopped the convoy of prisoners Garadagly people,
shooting them in groups in front of the crowd. When stopped at the village of
Jamiat trucks and there was a cry of "10 people down!" Jumped thirty
of our boys and opened his chest, shouting: "Shoot all of us! Anyway, we
punished you for dragons, and now can safely die on our land! ". At one of
these "stops" our young captive warrior, hid in the hands of a
grenade, detonated it and killed along with a large group of Armenian
mercenaries.

In the eyes of the audience of children, women and people of Armenian villages
were murdered, brutally tortured and beheaded dozens of prisoners. Thus to
Khankendi reached only 52 people alive - less than half were captured in
Garadagli. In total, the battle for Garadagly killed 91 people - every tenth
inhabitant of the village.

Unparalleled heroism and bravery of the young villagers Garadagly should become
an example for all of the Azerbaijani youth. These young boys were able to
destroy a large number of experienced terrorists and mercenaries from various
countries who came to fight for money on the Armenian side. Residents were able
to withstand the most Garadagly prepared the Armenian contingent of mercenaries
Aramo, Arabo and Avo, characterized animal cruelty.

February 17, 1992 Armenian troops mercenaries Aramo, Arabo and Avo (Monte
Melkonian), relying on the fire support of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment
of the CIS, stationed in Khankendi, occupied the strategically important
village Garadagli. In the battles for Garadagly killed 91 people, 54 of whom
were killed in one day. In general, in the fight against the Armenian
mercenaries Khojavend killed 145 people (15 women and 13 children).

The men of the local defense battalion fought to the last round, have shown
unprecedented heroism, however, left without assistance, were surrounded.
Several of them were captured by Armenian fighters, but here the guys were able
to hit the enemy manpower.

The events of those days full of heroism and tragedy, told 1news.az surviving
villagers Garadagly Khojavend.

Nagiyev Seyyur Khanlar oglu, born in 1961, a resident of the village Garadagly:

In early 1988, we learned that in the regional center of Martuni (Khojavend)
Armenians hold meetings, which calls for the expulsion of the Azerbaijani
population of the region. At first we did not pay much importance to all this,
but then began the first bombings and attacks by Armenian troops, drawn from
local and mercenaries. We realized that it takes a serious turn and the
situation is complicated by the fact that there was no help and support from Baku
we do not do that.

For four years, from 1988 to 1992., Residents Garadagly stood at their posts
and defending their village, which the Armenian troops gradually shrank from
all sides in the ring. It's been 4 years of attacks, terror and murder by the
Armenian bandits. In November 1991 the village fell into Garadagly complete
encirclement and until February 1992, we, the residents of the village, with a
small squad, led by Eyvazov Huseynov, successfully defended themselves against
the Armenian mercenary troops Avo, Aramo, and Arabo.

Then from 14 to 17 February with the support of the 366th Motorized Rifle
Regiment CIS Armenian mercenaries began a 4-day storm Garadagly, but even all
these forces are not able to break our resistance and capture the village.
Advocates and the villagers defended to the last bullet and killed over fifty
selected Armenian mercenaries. Only after we ran out of ammunition, Armenian
troops were able to approach and take the survivors prisoner. At the same time
the Armenian side promised that will not kill the captive inhabitants
Garadagly, but right here on the site were brutally killed 33 people.

Of these, 23 people were killed in the town of Armenian butchers «Beylik bagı».
Then shot and wounded, buried alive in a pit silo. Then on the way to Khankendi
were collected inhabitants of Armenian villages, we stopped several times in
front of the audience staged a "show": a group of prisoners were
shot, others beheaded and brutally tortured. To all this, watching the assembled
women and children from the nearby Armenian villages. Thus, several dozen
prisoners were landed and shot. Then the two prisoners were killed by the
stream Zeki, two in the village of Jamiat.

As a result of the 110 people captured in Garadagly, to live Khankendi reached
52 people. Marching to death the prisoners shouting Armenian mercenaries in the
face: "This is our land, we are glad that your mothers forced to cry and
can now die in peace on our land!".

I, along with other prisoners remained forty days in captivity in Khankendi,
where prisoners were tortured and humiliated. Once in Khankendi was attended by
representatives of the "Red Cross" and then we swapped and expelled
from the Armenian captivity. Of the 52 prisoners survived and came back 45. Among
those killed was my brother.

As a resident of the village and the police (when police) I know the whole
chronicle of the Armenian terrorism in our region and what these bandits guide
patrons in neighboring Armenia and Moscow. In order to scare people Garadagly
and force them to leave the village systematically committed acts of terror and
murder by Armenian groups.

November 24, 1990 3 Garadagly residents were massacred by Armenian bandits near
the road Khojavend-Khankendi.